Clean up spills with absorbents like cat litter, then dispose of them properly. Do Not use a hose to wash spills into the storm drains!

Wash your car at a commercial / coin-operated car wash where wash water is treated and recycled. If you must wash it at home, use soap and detailing products with care.

Try to divert the water to a vegetated area.

Washing Your Car at Home

Use a bucket and biodegradable soap.

Use as little soap and water as possible.

Look for products that don't contain nonylphenol surfactants, which act as endocrine disrupters and change the sex of fish, and phosphates, which contribute to algal blooms and low oxygen levels in waterways.

Use a trigger spray nozzle to control water flow from the hose and reduce water use.

Wash the car on a grassy area or other porous surface where soil microbes and vegetation can filter and break down pollutants and keep wash water out of the street and storm drains.

Direct wash water into a landscaped area or vacuum it up with a shopvac rather than allowing it to run into the street.

When you are done dump your bucket of soapy water into a sink, drain, or toilet that goes to the city's wastewater treatment plant.

Home Repair & Improvement

Before beginning an outdoor project, be aware of the nearest storm drains and protect them from loose debris and other material.

Sweep-up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar.

Use hazardous substances like paints, solvents, and cleaners in the smallest amounts possible and follow manufacturer directions. Clean up spills immediately and dispose of the waste safely.